BUSI 2303 -- Business Communication -- 3 credit hours

Study of communication processes in business as related to managerial and professional communication. Emphasis on interpersonal and organizational concepts; goals, skills, and criteria; cultural aspects; electronically assisted communication; collaborative communication; planning, organizing, and developing business messages; message patterns; visual and oral media; research and reports; and the employment process. Prerequisite: ENGL 1023.

BUSI 3513 -- Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communication -- 3 credit hours

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of integrated marketing communications (IMC). Students learn and apply the IMC planning process and examine the role of integration to ensure consistency of creative strategy and complementary use of traditional and digital media. Prerequisites: BUSI 2303 and BUSI 3933.

COMM 1203 -- Presentation Design & Delivery -- 3 credit hours

This course equips students with the necessary skills to effectively design and deliver compelling presentations tailored for diverse audiences. Emphasizing both visual design and public speaking techniques, students will learn to create memorable, impactful presentations and confidently convey their ideas.

COMM 1503 -- Mass Media & Society -- 3 credit hours

Examines the role and impact of the media on individuals and society. Topics include the historical development of the mass media, along with media effects, ethics, legal considerations, and the role of journalism in society. Students develop a deeper awareness of the media in their lives and a critical perspective to become more responsible consumers of information. Also listed as JRNL 1503.

COMM 2003 -- Critical Thinking & Communication -- 3 credit hours

This survey course introduces critical thinking, establishes its historical nexus with the discipline of communication, and explores contemporary applications vis-à-vis information literacy, media literacy, new media literacy, quantitative literacy (i.e. numeracy), and visual literacy. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills through intensive practice in in-class debate and deliberative exercises, and analysis of communication artifacts.

COMM 2503 -- Interpersonal Communication -- 3 credit hours

An analysis of interpersonal effectiveness, verbal and nonverbal techniques, encoding and decoding communication messages, and interaction within relationships.

COMM 2603 -- Communication & Identity -- 3 credit hours

This course explores the intricate relationship between communication and identity, delving into the ways in which communication shapes, reflects, and challenges our individual and collective identities. Students will examine various aspects of communication to gain a deeper understanding of how communication influences our perceptions of self and others. This course is designed to enhance both self-awareness and communication competence, enabling students to engage with a dynamic and ever-changing global community.

COMM 3003 -- Communication Theory -- 3 credit hours

In this course, students will engage a broad spectrum of communication theories and frameworks with the goal of understanding the principles and practices of communication. Students will develop critical thinking skills as they better understand communication research and observe its applicability in their lives.

COMM 3103 -- Public Advocacy -- 3 credit hours

An in-depth understanding of the theories, strategies, and techniques essential for public advocacy in the modern era. Drawing from historical and contemporary examples, this course examines the role of advocacy in shaping public opinion, influencing policy and legislative decisions, and driving social change. Prerequisite: COMM 1203).

COMM 3113 -- Public Relations Principles & Practices -- 3 credit hours

Students will learn how information moves inside and outside organizations and how this information can be used to contribute to organizational goals. For students considering careers in public relations, this course will provide initial communication planning and writing skills. For students interested in communication applications as part of careers in other fields, this course will contribute to understanding communication applications in modern organizations.

COMM 3203 -- Nonverbal Communication -- 3 credit hours

An integral study relating to body language, facial expressions, vocal variations, proxemics, personal appearance, and artifacts.

COMM 3213 -- Intermediate Public Relations -- 3 credit hours

Helps students develop expanded skills in applying public relations principles and practices to case studies that reflect the realities of the profession today. As student skills expand, there will be some work with real companies as clients.

COMM 3303 -- Group Communication & Decision Making -- 3 credit hours

Study of time interaction and communication in small-group and team situations. Emphasis is placed on role identity, listening, conflict, problem-solving and decision-making.

COMM 3403 -- Family Communication -- 3 credit hours

An introduction to communication phenomena in the family setting. Designed to help students understand how, through communication, family relationships are developed, maintained, enhanced, or disturbed. Students will learn verbal and nonverbal skills that help promote healthy family communication.

COMM 3503 -- Organizational Communication -- 3 credit hours

A management approach to communication within business environments. Includes team approaches, problem-solving, and development of professionalism.

COMM 3603 -- Intercultural Communication -- 3 credit hours

Provides an overview of the study of communication and culture with an emphasis on the theory and practice of cross-cultural and intercultural communication. It includes comparative studies of communication practices in different cultures and subcultures (cross-cultural) and descriptive normative studies of communication between different cultures and subcultures (intercultural).

COMM 3703 -- Communication & Aging -- 3 credit hours

A study of communication as it pertains to human social development, with an emphasis on the effects of aging, generational differences and social stereotypes on interpersonal communication effectiveness.

COMM 3713 -- Communication in Social & Critical Contexts -- 3 credit hours

An exploration of communication interaction related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in social and critical contexts.

COMM 3733 -- Popular Culture & Media -- 3 credit hours

Explores communication in American society and culture through the lens of various media, including television, music, movies, and the Internet.

COMM 4103 -- Conflict Resolution -- 3 credit hours

An intensive study of the nature of conflict, its causes and consequences, and communication strategies for managing and resolving conflict.

COMM 4203 -- Crisis Communication -- 3 credit hours

Communication strategies for dealing with crisis situations through prevention, readiness, and resolution of crisis situations will be developed.

COMM 4403 -- Communication Law & Ethics -- 3 credit hours

Study focuses on media law and ethical considerations in the contemporary communication environment. Topics include the First Amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, information access, free press and fair trial considerations, obscenity, copyright, advertising, and telecommunication regulations. Also listed as JRNL 4403.

COMM 4503 -- Interviewing -- 3 credit hours

A comprehensive study of interviewing techniques as applied in diverse settings, including employment, performance appraisal, health care, and human services. Students will demonstrate understanding of relevant principles and techniques through observation of and participation in a series of interviews in and out of class.

COMM 4713 -- Leadership -- 3 credit hours

Study of communication relative to values, leadership, and power in organizational contexts such as business, professional, social, educational, and political groups.

COMM 4723 -- Persuasion -- 3 credit hours

An advanced study of theories of human influence and motivation and their applications with emphasis on commercial and political advertising in mass communication and computer-mediated communication.

COMM 4733 -- Political Communication & Public Affairs -- 3 credit hours

Study of communication issues related to interest group politics, including how interest groups use mass media to advance their public policy agendas. Citizen disengagement and the theory and practice of deliberative democracy are also emphasized.

COMM 4743 -- Social Media Communication -- 3 credit hours

A social scientific study of the influence of communication on the history, theory, ethics, technology, and uses of social media. Specific focus will be given to the analysis of messages and emergent social structures through social media platforms, i.e., X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn. Course topics include but are not limited to the impact of social media and technology on interpersonal relationships, the workplace, journalism, and politics.

COMM 4803 -- Special Topics in Communication -- 3 credit hours

This course is designed to explore diverse and evolving subjects within the field of communication. It will allow students to delve into specific areas of interest that will vary each time it is offered. This course is designed to provide a unique and enriching learning experience that can be repeated once for continued exploration.

COMM 4903 -- Professional Internship in Communication -- 3 credit hours

A student may elect to participate in a professional internship in a communication or communicationrelated field.
The internship must involve a minimum of 120 clock hours per semester, for which at least 80 percent of the time at work
involves activities that meaningfully contribute to the student’s professional development for a targeted career. The internship
must be pre-approved and supervised by a communication program faculty member and comply with the program’s guidelines for professional internships. Grading: Credit/No Credit.

COMM 4993 -- Communication Capstone -- 3 credit hours

The capstone course gives all undergraduates in communication the opportunity for a culminating college experience that focuses on their discipline and areas of interest and requires them to integrate concepts from a related communication course. A written report and oral presentation of that report as well as a culminating reflection paper serve as the exit assessment for the major. Communication majors only, must be taken within the last two semesters prior to graduation or with the program’s permission.

ENGL 3013 -- Intermediate Composition & Rhetoric -- 3 credit hours

Building beyond skills developed in the first-year writing sequence, the course introduces students to composition theory as well as rhetorical analysis to provide the fundamentals of writing argumentative research essays in English as a discipline. Students learn how to position their interpretation of literary 226 and cultural texts in relation to ongoing scholarship in the field, with an emphasis on summary, synthesis, documentation of sources, and original argumentation. Fundamental terminology and methodology for close reading literary and cultural texts – including, but not limited to, fiction, drama, and poetry – will be included. Practice in recognizing and making appropriate use of discourse conventions as well as the relationship between writing and culture/communities will be introduced. Students will exhibit sophisticated analytical skills to complement a broad understanding of the writing process within the discipline. Topics, subject matter, and approaches may vary depending upon the instructor. Prerequisite: ENGL 1023 and ENGL 2103 or instructor’s permission.

ENGL 3733 -- Writing & Culture -- 3 credit hours

This course is designed to help students think and write critically about varying aspects of culture. Encourages students to engage in rhetorical analyses of the ways various cultures use writing and conceive literacy and to investigate the ways cultural norms shape writing and visual media. Explores developments of trends in areas such as film, television, and the internet. This course emphasizes intellectual development, critical analysis, cultural literacy, and, when applicable, global awareness. Topics, subject matter, and approaches may vary depending upon the instructor. Prerequisite: ENGL 1023 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3703 -- Historiography: The Historian’s Craft -- 3 credit hours

Writing and speaking intensive course to introduce history majors to the study of what history is and what a historian does, including theory, methodology, research techniques, ethics of the historical profession, and forms of presentation. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or HIST 1043 or HIST 2233 or HIST 2243 and sophomore standing or instructor’s permission.

HS 4253 -- Ethics & Multicultural Diversity -- 3 credit hours

Examines ethical, professional, and multi-cultural issues/dilemmas within the discipline. Particular emphasis is given to codes of ethics and the parameters of acceptable professional conduct. Human diversity is also a major focus. Recommended: HS 2103.

PSYC 3403 -- Social Psychology -- 3 credit hours

A study of human behavior in terms of personality and situational variables. Major topics covered include attitude formation and change, aggression, attraction, social cognition, prejudice, and group processes. Prerequisite: PSYC 1003 and sophomore standing or above. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

PSYC 3903 -- Developmental Psychology -- 3 credit hours

Presents an overview of the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult development, and aging. Emphasis is on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of human development. Prerequisite: PSYC 1003. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

RELI 4603 -- Homiletics -- 3 credit hours

A consideration of the essential qualifications of a preacher; the need for preaching; and proper preparation of sermon material, including discovery and arrangement of ideas, and the effective presentation and reception of the message. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in COMM 1203. Course rotation: Varies.

THEA 2513 -- Voice & Movement -- 3 credit hours

Introduces students to various techniques and skills to develop body and vocal awareness, physical expressiveness, and vocal production.

THEA 3333 -- Playwriting -- 3 credit hours

A practical course in writing a one-act play. The students will develop a script from an idea or scenario through various rewrites, concluding with a final version to be given a Reader’s Theater style reading.

WS 3213 -- Women, Violence & Feminist Activism -- 3 credit hours

Explores the cultural constructions and implications of gender by examining various forms of violence against women from a feminist theoretical perspective, sensitive to inequalities that produce a climate of violence. Particular attention is paid to how violence against women intersects with other issues central to women’s identities and experiences, including race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, nationality, health, family, work, and education. Students also study diverse feminist activist strategies for combating violence against women and engage in a substantive research project with a service-learning component. Prerequisites: WS 1003 and WS 1013 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Alternate spring

WS 3313 -- Feminist Writing & Film -- 3 credit hours

Examines how various forms of feminist writing or feminist film challenge patriarchal gender norms and/or represent women’s histories and experiences. Particular attention is paid to the multiplicity of women’s identities and the interconnectedness of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, class, and sexuality. Prerequisites: WS 1003 and WS 1013 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Alternate fall.